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Deciding how to get started on chemical substitution and looking for information on chemical alternatives is a challenge for any business. Selecting an alternative is a change and as a result a Management of Change process approach should be used to find the best and most effective chemical substitute. 

The implementation of effective chemical substitution policies and management practices at the workplace can deliver significant benefits in terms of protecting the health and safety of workers.

On November 20, 2018, Chemscape travelled to Ft St John to hear the annual review for the Oil and Gas sector from WorkSafeBC and learn what their initiatives are in 2019. In 2018, the focus for enforcement was primarily fracking and drilling. In 2019, WorkSafeBC plans to expand this initiative to all areas of Oil and Gas including Pipeline Construction.

Is there an SDS Expiry Date? The short answer: Yes, they do expire. Under WHMIS 2015, safety data sheets expire when changes to a product are made. This replaces the previous 3-year expiration requirement. 

What is an Exposure Control Plan (ECP)? An Exposure Control Plan (ECP) is a product of an organization’s chemical or health and safety management system that provides direction and expectations to prevent exposures to workers.

Alberta Bill 30 makes a distinction between education and training as does WHMIS 2015. Chemscape will breakdown for you what the distinction is between both and how you can develop your WHMIS program accordingly.

When Is WHMIS Training Required? WHMIS training should be updated as necessary or when significant information has changed. WHMIS training should be provided by the employer when a new employee is hired during orientation.

What Employees Need WHMIS Training? The answer to who needs training and the extent of WHMIS education and training is something a company needs to consider. Everyone needs the basics.

Banning, Prohibiting, and or Restricting a Chemical or Ingredient Eliminating the chemical or ingredient in the workplace eliminates the health hazards associated with the chemical or ingredient. Elimination can prevent injuries, illness, loss or adverse effects on the environment.

There are many options for Safety Data Sheet authoring on the market. Here are some red flags we see when examining SDSs written by low-cost providers and automated authoring programs. The results are poorly written SDSs that do not conform to GHS standards, provide inaccurate information and can even be non-compliant.

Does one SDS work for all countries since it is a Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?  Although the GHS has introduced standardized communication for Labels and Safety Data Sheets, SDSs still vary significantly by country.

Do you have Concurrent or Simultaneous Operations in your organization? Could one operator’s tasks be unknowingly generating health hazards for others? Learn how to quickly Identify, Communicate and Control Chemical Hazards and Health Risk at these job sites. Our safety expert John Artym and Industrial Hygienist Mike Phibbs CIH ROH face off.